7th Battalion, The Royal Sussex Regiment1939-1940Military Honours and Awards

On 20 May 1940 this officer took out a patrol of one platoon on a recce through
Salouel near Amiens, and on to the high ground West of the village. He obtained much valuable
information as to the enemy’s dispositions and strength which he communicated to his Company
Commander. On his way back, his patrol encountered enemy tanks and came under heavy fire. He
concealed his men in a thick wood and himself made several recces in order to find a way back,
but without success.

When 2⁄Lt. Sevenoaks realised he was completely surrounded by the enemy
AFV’s and motorized units, he kept his men under cover and eventually succeeded in withdrawing
them without loss through the German outpost lines. He spent many hours within a few yards of
German armoured units and passed through German outpost lines by night by pretending to be a
German patrol.

Having got through the German lines he continued his march through heavy
shelling and eventually contacted French troops after marching throughout the night.

He showed courage, initiative and coolness in a difficult situation and set
his men a very fine example in determination.

(This officer was later awarded an M.B.E. (Military Division) as a Major
assigned as SO(L) at H.Q. 1st Canadian Army throughout the campaign in North West Europe.)